Earlier this month Charlie Piper (East 2014) won his first senior cap for Harlequins. Charlie came off the bench in Harlequins’ match vs Gloucester at Kingsholm. Charlie who represented England Under-18 as a hooker was the youngest member of the Harlequins squad and to play in the front row at that level is a wonderful achievement. He follows in the footsteps of fellow Old Cranleighan’s Seb Stegmann, Will Collier, Sam Smith and Greg Bateman who have all represented Harlequins in the last six years.
Andrew Houston (Director of Rugby) commented on Charlie’s achievement: “It is amazing to think that only twelve months ago Charlie was representing the 1st XV here at School. Charlie has had his injury setbacks but has worked tirelessly to reach his target. Playing front row is tough at the professional level, so to do it at the age of 18 is incredible.”
Sam Arnold (East 2014) who captained the School in 2014, won his first full Under-20’s cap for Ireland, even though he is still a year young.
“Both these boys should be very proud of their achievements and I hope they use it as a driving force to reach the next goal which will be full international honours,” said Houston. “It is great to see so many former pupils breaking into the professional ranks and with the likes of three times Oxford Blue Henry Lamont, James Cordy-Redden, KK Ndewere and Harry Elrington, all currently at university but doing great things with their rugby, it gives the current pupils real role models to look up to and be inspired by.”